Anhui vs Guangxi Preview: Defending Champions Lead NBL Opener, Foreign Stars Set for Scoring Showdown

On June 15, the 2023-2024 NBL season kicks off with a clash between defending champions Anhui Wenyi and Guangxi Wei Zhuang.

Anhui has undergone significant roster changes, bringing in center Akzhuo Li-Baihai and forward Zheng Qilong. Xue Fowen returns after a brief stint elsewhere, and Tang Jie is set to make his comeback from an injury that ruled him out for the entire previous season. The team retains Daraki while adding Croatian forward Zubsic and point guard Pierre Jackson.

With a relatively luxurious lineup by NBL standards, Anhui boasts Li Xiangbo, Wang Yanzi, Shao Shouye, Liu Renbin, Gong Yuanhang, and Wang Sichi, all of whom have distinct playing styles. Their role is clear – supporting the imports, staying focused, capitalizing on scoring opportunities, and playing crucial defensive roles.

Guangxi, as one of the league’s veteran teams, is currently undergoing a transition, featuring several players born in the 2000s. The focus will be on which young talents can secure core rotation spots during the regular season. Veterans like Zhao Tailong, Zhao Tianyi, and Prince Qi have CBA experience, and their performance will be under scrutiny this season.

The team’s new imports, Frederz Alexander, Alexander, and Lotana Afam-Ewogbo, will significantly impact Guangxi’s performance, given the four-quarter, eight-player foreigner rule.

The full squads are as follows:

Guangxi Wei Zhuang: Li Minghao, Fan Honghao, Hu Tonghao, Zong Jiajun, Wang Ziqi, Zhao Haiming, Aimar Kasimu, Zhao Tailong, Zhang Zhongfei, Peng Zhenglin, Liu Ao, Sun Wei, Huang Yi, Zhao Tianyi, James Frederick Frasier, Alexander, Lotana Afam-Ewogbo.

Anhui Wenyi: Xue Fowen, Yuan Chenyun, Li Xiangbo, Wang Yanzi, Zheng Qilong, Tian Jingqiang, Tang Jie, Shao Shouye, Liu Renbin,Gong Yuanhang, Wang Sichi, Akzhuo Li-Baihai, Yang Wenbo, Daraki Johnson, Zubsic, Pierre Jackson.